The panel discussion, which will allow for audience participation begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26.

The panel discussion is part of a series of events designed to educate the community about current and historic issues related to racism.

The Museum is partnering with the Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society, the YWCA of Kalamazoo Eliminating Racism Project, The Western Michigan University Multicultural Center, Kalamazoo Public Library, Portage District Library, and CRIA (Calhoun Racial Impact Alliance).

The panelists will be Mitch Kachun of Western Michigan University; Donna Odom of Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society; Kristina Wirtz of Western Michigan University; and Cheree Thomas of the YMCA of Kalamazoo.

The group will discuss how the American slave trade became racial, the roots of racism, disparity in income levels even among people of the same educational background, and what we can do as a community in terms of race relations.

The panel discussion is part of the Racial Healing Initiatives Project, which was spearheaded by The Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society, whose mission is to provide programs, projects, panels, and provide opportunities for the community to engage in open and honest dialogue around issues of race.